Comparing key compositional indicators in Jupiter with those in extra-solar giant planets

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential of upcoming James Webb Space Telescope observations to analyze the atmospheric composition of hot Jupiters and compare their key indicators with those of Jupiter and other exoplanets.

Contribution

It highlights the importance of JWST in advancing the understanding of exoplanet atmospheres and their formation by enabling detailed molecular abundance measurements.

Findings

JWST will significantly improve atmospheric composition analysis.

Comparison of Jupiter's indicators with exoplanets informs planet formation theories.

Determination of C/O ratios in hot Jupiters is feasible with JWST data.

Abstract

Spectroscopic transiting observations of the atmospheres of hot Jupiters around other stars, first with Hubble Space Telescope and then Spitzer, opened the door to compositional studies of exoplanets. The James Webb Space Telescope will provide such a profound improvement in signal-to-noise ratio that it will enable detailed analysis of molecular abundances, including but not limited to determining abundances of all the major carbon- and oxygen-bearing species in hot Jupiter atmospheres. This will allow determination of the carbon-to-oxygen ratio, an essential number for planet formation models and a motivating goal of the Juno mission currently around Jupiter